Steel box-car.



26, 1912. 4 sums-snm; 1.

V. M. SUMMA.

STEEL Box GAR.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 18, 1911.

Patented Mar Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

STEEL BOX GAR. APPLICATION FILED GOTA-8, 1911.

v. M. SUMMA.

oo o o a o\ oo s o o'o so o\o om oo c amo V. M. SUMMA.

'STEEL BOX CAR.

APPLIOATION FILED 0012.18, 1911.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912. 4 sHnTs-snnn'r Inventor @1250116525 f77/)fw .f p.

V. M. SUMMA.

STEEL BOX UAB.

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4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

L/ INVENTOR M lll/L. SAA/WM ATTORNEY yWITNESsE. I

'i horizontal sectional view taken-on of line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a etail UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VICTOR M. sMMA, 0F FoUNDRx COMPANY,

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN CAR .AND OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

STEEL BOX-CAR.

which it appertains to make and to usethe being had to the accom anyillustrate the pre erred though it is to be same, reference lngdrawings, whlch form of the mventlon,

`, understood that the invention is not limited tothe exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof will occur to persons skilled in the art- In said drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of approximatelyr one half of a box car constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view showing the inner face of the side wall illustrated in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a transvers'evertical sectional view.` .the left handfside'of said figure showing a section taken at the side door and the right hand side of said figure showing a section taken at a point intermediate the side door and end of the car.' Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational -view illustrating the details of construction at the lower corner of onef'of the side doors. Fi 5 is a t e lane vertical sectional view taken on the plane 4, being also an enlargement of the sectlon shown at the lower left hand corner of Fig. 3, for better illustratin the construction at the side door. Fig-g is a detail sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. 6," but being substantially an enlargement of the section shown atthe lower right hand corner of Fig. 3, for better illustrating the construction between the side doors and the car ends.

The object of this invention is to provide a light, but substantial, all-metal, car wall and to soidesign the same. tha-t it may be manufactured at a less cost than Walls of the same capacity heretofore built.

To this end the invention comprises a-reinforcing member for the wall, said reinforcing memberextending continuously be,-

neath the leide door opening, having its opl Specification of Letters Patent. Application tiled October 18,1911. Serial No. 655,312.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

portions fixed to the side plate and to the sheathing plates and posts in such manner as to permit of the omission of some of the sheathing plates and posts, for forming'the door opening without materially affecting the weight sustaining capacity of the wall, said sheathin plates serving as splice plates for' connecting said remforcing member to said posts.

It further providesthat the floor sheets be connected with the side connecting member and with adjacent portions of the sheathing plates in such manner as to au posite end ,ment the weight sustaining capacity of said wall members.

Itfurther provides that the floor plates, at the door openings, be so formed and connected to the side connectin member and to the intermediate portion oy the continuous reinforcing member, above referred to, as to reinforce said members, and at the same time provide 'an ,appropriate door sill covering said members.

Referring to the drawings in which is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 1 indicates the center sills, 2 the cross bearers and 2 the holsters of the underframe structure.

The o posite side walls of the car being identicalp one only will be described in detail and the description thereof. will obviously apply to both.

The si e connecting member comprises a vertically disposed plate 3,v extending lengthwise of the car having its upper edge substantially in the plane of the under-surface of the floor plates 4, and a reinforcing angle 5 disposed with one of its flanges upstanding and fixed 'to .the inner surface of the plate 3, and withits other flange projecting inwardly at the; lower edge of said Ifirst mentioned flange and in the plane of the lower edge of theplate 3. The comound side connecting member. thus formed 1s of L-shape in cross section havin its shorter yleg projecting inwardly an longer leg upstanding.

The floor plates 4 exten'd from side to side of the ,car resting upon the upper-surfaces of the center sills 1 and transverse members 2 and 2, and'has its opposite longitudinal edges flanged downwardly, as at 6, and fixed lto the ,inner surface of the plate 3 ofthe itsl to said `iside plate and side connecting member along the upper edge thereof, throughout. the length of the car, except as follows: Adjacenteach ofthe side posts 7, the Hange 6,- and apart of the horizontal portion of the oor plate, is cutforming a recess 8, adaptedto receive the posts; at the side door the Hoor plate is extended across the upper edge of the plate 3, of the sideeonnecting member as at 9, and is 'anged downwardly across the `outersurface of said plate, as at 10, said down-v turned ange having its lower edge'in the i same plane with the loweredge of the plate 3. The flange l0 extends longitudinally of the car from one of the door posts to thev other. The flange 6 is cut away adjacent the j door posts, as at 6a for the passage of a tension member as`16 hereinafter described.

The posts 7 may be of any desired cross section, but are illustrated as comprising vrolled angles having one of their lianges as 7a fixed, by its iiat outer surface, to the v inner face of the plate l3 andhaving its other flange 7b extending inwardly. The

lowerends of each ofthe yposts are oset as at 11 for accommodating the upstanding flange of the reinforcing angle 5 of the side connecting member, and said offset portions are ixed to said angle by through rivets, as at 12. a

The transverse members 2` of the under-l frame are preferably secured to the posts 7, as at 13, said posts serving as angle brackets for connecting said transverse members ,to

'the side connecting member.

The sheathing plate or plates `as* 'are securely riveted directly to the 'outer faces of the flangesa of the posts 7, having their lower longitudinal edges oset at the upper edge of the plate 3 and'lapping theouter face of said plate and being riveted thereto p by through rivets some of which extend through the upstanding flange of the angle 5, others through said flange andthrough `the posts 7 and others through the flange 6 of the floor plate. The upper longitudinal edge of the sheathing plate 14 ,is ixed to the inner vertical surface of the side plate 15.

A continuous .tension bar as 16 extendsthe angle 5.

from the side plate., atv one of the transom posts 7c, above the car bolster, at one end of the car, to the side plate. at a correspondinglocation near the oppositeend of the car, having its intermediate :portion depressed and extending beneath the floor plate at the door opening. The tensionvbar 16' is preferably of uniform cross section having one of its flat faces resting against the inner-sur face of the sheathing plates and being fixed thereto throughout its length, except atthe door where said sheathing vplates are omitted. At this point the tension bar engages the inner alined surface of the plate 3 of thev side connecting member 2 and is xed thereto.

At Toppositewsides offthe door openings the end portions of the tension bar extend diagonally upwardto the iside plate, said diagonally' disposed yportions intersecting the posts 7 -and said posts'being formed with suitable recesses 16,a Fig. 3 adapted to a`c commodate said tension bar so asl to provide plates 14. The s connecting plates rigidly 'connecting said tension bar to said. osts.' Likewise. at the ends of'thevtension arthei'plates 14 being fixed to the posts v7and to the side plate, and'to the tension. bar, form gusset plates rigidly connecting the ends ofthe tension bar tothe side plate and to said posts 7. Supplemental gusset plates 17 are fixed to the ends of the tension bar, and to the adjacent posts,` and ttl-theA side plate. r[he sheathing .plates serve also as means for con;v ne'cting the posts.7,j7,fthe side plate and the side cnnecting member.

d Supporting braces or `tension members as 18 extend' from adjacent the upper ends of the tension bar 16 downwardly to the ends of the car for supporting the end sills, said braces beingfixed to the sheathing plates, and to the side plate, and to the supplemental gussetvv plates, similarly as are the earning 'pines mlbein 'exea te the posts 7 and to' the tension ar, form van evenv surface for the attachment of the sheathing endsv of thebar 16, said gusset forming a v bond' between the adjacent ends of said bar 16 and v'braces '18 for equalizing theirvv respective stresses upon the upper ends of the posts 7d. The side plate 15 yextending be- Atween Eandbeing lixed to the adjacent ends of the bar lvand braces 18 and to the posts, serve 'as means for reinforcing the connection between said-bar and braces and said osts. l 1

rlheposts 7 at opposite sides of vthe door are offset at their lower ends at the floor `level to accommodate the bar 16, and to form a shoulder as 19 under which the bar is arranged to engage. Owing to the greater thickness of the tension member 16,' a filler block 20 is interposed between the lower end ofthe post and the'upstanding` flange of lt will be noted that the downeturned flange .of the floor sheet 4, being disposed flanges of the floor sheets, and by the lower portions of the sheathing plates. @bviously the roof structure, forming no particular part of this invention, but beingxed to the Vertical posts fixed to door opening side plate, adds materially to the strength of said side plate as a compression member.

What .I claim is j 1. In a car, a side wall formed with a door opening and comprising a side plate,

vertical posts fixed to said side plate, and

ya continuous tension bar of constant cross section extending between the upper ends of some of said posts having its intermediate portion depressed and extending beneath said door opening.

2.'.In a car, a. side Wall formed with a dqorjopening and comprising a side plate, vertical posts fixed to said side plate, and a continuous tension bar extending between the upper ends of some of said posts having .A its" intermediate portion depressed and eX- tending beneath said door opening', and said depressed portieri being fixed to others offsaid posts. l

3.'In.a car,I a, side Wall formed with a and comprising a side plate, vertical posts fixed to said side plate, and a continuous tension bar extending between the upper endsof some of said posts` having its intermediate portion depressed and extending beneath sald door opening, and some of said posts being formed with rel'cesses and the depressed portion of said tension bar being received in said recesses.

4. In a car, a side Wall formed with a door opening and comprising a side plate, said side plate, and a continuous tension bar extending between the upper ends of sonicA of said posts having its intermediate poi-tion depressed and extending beneath said ydoor opening, said posts being recessed and said tension bar lbeing extended through said rec-esses.

5. In a car, a side Wall :formed with a door opening and comprisinga side plate, vertical posts fixed to said side plate, and aY continuous `tension bar extending between the upper ends of some of said posts having its intermediate portion depressed and extending beneath said door opening, Some of said posts being recessed intermediate their ends and others ot said posts being recessed adjacent their ends, and said tension bar being extended through said recesses.

6. In a car, a side wall formed with a door opening and comprising a side plate, a side connecting member and a continuous tension bar having its opposite ends fixed to said side plate and having its intermediate portion depressed and extending beneath said door opening, and said` depressed portion being fixed to the inner surface of said side .connecting member.

7. In a car, a side wall formed with a door opening and comprising a side plate, a side connecting member, sheathing plates, and a continuous tension bar having its end portions fixed to s'aid side plate and having its intermediate portion depressed and extending beneath said door opening, said'v tension bar being fixed to said sheathing plates.

,8. In a car, a side wall formed'with a door opening and comprising aside plate, aside connecting member, vertical posts, sheathing plates, and a continuous tension b ar having its opposite ends fixed to said s ide plate and having its intermediate portion depressed and extending beneath said door opening, said tension bar' being dis posed between said posts and sheathing plates.

9. In a cai, a side wall formed with a door opening and comprising a side plate, a side connecting member, vertical posts, sheathing plates, and a continuous tension bar having its opposite ends fixed to said side plate and having its intermediate portionv depressed and extending beneath said door opening, said posts being formed with recesses and between said posts and said sheathing plates and extending through said recesses.

l0: Infa'car, a side wall foi-ined with a door'op'ening and comprising a side plate,

said tension bar being disposed a side connecting member, vertical posts,

sheathing plates, anda continuous tension bar having its opposite ends fixed to said side plate and having its intermediate poi'- tion depressed and extending beneath said door opening, said sheathing plates being fixed to said posts and said posts having parts spaced from said sheathing plates forming recesses, and said tension bar ex-l tending through said recesses.

11. In ay car, a Wall structure formed with a door opening and forming a girder whose compression member is the side plate supported by posts extending upwardly from points adjacent the car holsters. and whose tension member is tixed to said side plate adjacent said posts and extends beneath said door opening.

l2. In a car, a wall structure formed with a door opening and forming a girder Whose compression member is the side plate supported by posts extending upwardly from points adjacent the car bolsters,rand Whose tension member is fixed to said side plate adjacent said posts and extends beneath said door opening, and stiii'ening members extending between and connecting said compression and tension members intermediate their length. v

13. In a car, a wall structure formed with a door opening and forming a girder whose4 compression member is the side plate supported by posts extending upwardly from points adjacent the car holsters, and whose tension 'member is fixed to said side plate adjacent said posts and extends beneath said door opening, stiffening members extending between and connecting said compression 'said door opening, stifliening members extending between and connecting said conrpression and tension members intermediate their length, and sheathin plates serving as means connecting saidsti ening members to said stress members.

15. Ina car, a wall structure formed with a door opening and comprising a girder whose compression memberv is the side plate4 supported by posts extending upwardly from points adjacent the car bolsters, and whose tension member is fixed to said side plate, stifiening' members extending between and connect-ing said compression and ltension members intermediate their .lengt-h, sheathing plates serving as means connecting said stiftening members to said stress members, and splice'plates connecting said stress members together and to said posts.

16. In a c ar, a side wall formed with a door opening and'comprising a side plate, a side connecting member,4 and a continuous tension bai' having its opposite ends fixed to said side plate and llaving its 4intermediate portion depressed and extending vbeneath said door opening, and sheathing plates serving as means connecting said tension bar to said side connecting member. 17. In a car, a 'side wall formed with4 a door opening and comprising a side plate, a side connecting member, and a continuous tension-bar having itsopposite end portion connected with said side plate and having its intermediate portion depressed and extending beneath said opening, and stiffening 1members connecting said tension member to r extending upwardly from points adjacentsaid side connecting member.

18. A car wall comprising vertical posts extending upwardly from points adjacent the car bolsters, a tension meinberfor said wall disposed between said posts and having diagonal portions engagingthe upper ends of said posts, oppositely disposed diagonal braces beyond said posts converging with the diagonal portions of said' tension member at'said posts, and splice plates connecting saidl tension memberand said braces to' said posts.

19. A car wall comprising vertical posts the -car bolster, a tension member for said wall connecting said posts and having diagonal portions engaging the upper ends of said posts, oppositely disposed diagonal braces beyond said posts lconverging Awith v ing as means connecting said tension member to said braces and connecting said tension member and bracesJ to said posts.

20. A car wall comprising vertical posts extending upwardly from a point adjacent the car bolsters,` a tensionmember for said wall disposed between said posts and having diagonal portions 'engagin the upper` ends of said posts, oppositely isposed diagonal braces beyond said posts, converging with the diagonal portions of lsaid tension mem- 'ber at said^posts,'and a side plate connecting said posts and serving as means connecting said tension member to said braces and connecting said tension memberand braces' 'to said posts.

21. ,In a car, the combination With a side connecting member comprising a vertically disposed plate, of a floor plate formed with a pendant flange ixeditoy said s ide connecting member `adapted to reinforce said side connecting member and a continuous vtension member extending below the side floor plate and being connected with said flange and extending thence upwardly toward opposite ends of the car body.

`22. In a car, the combination with an underframe comprising transverse members, of a side connecting member for said transverse members, posts fixed to said side connecting member and forming angle brackets connecting said transverse members to said side connecting member, and a floor plate 'fixed to said side connecting member and being formed with recesses adapted to receive said p"sts.

` 23. Ina car, the combination with a side connecting member, of a floor plate fixed to said side connecting member for stififening said member and sheathing plates fixed to saidside connecting member and to said floor plate for stifi'ening said side connecting member.

24. In'a car, a side wall formed wit-h a door opening and comprising a side plate, vertical posts fixed to said side plate, a continuous tension bar extending between the upper ends of some of said posts having its sion bar having its opposite ends fixed to said side plate and having its intermediate portion depressed and extending beneath said door opening, and a floor plate extending across said tension bar and being fixed to said side connecting member.

27. In a car, the combination with a wall ormed with a do-or opening and comprisplate fixed to the inner face of said side connecting membei` at opposite sides of said door opening and to the outer face of said side connecting member at the door opening.

29. In a car, a side Wall formed With a door opening and comprising a side plate, a side connecting member, a continuous tensionbar having its opposite ends fixed to said side plate and having its intermediate portion depressed and extending beneath said door opening, door posts formed With recesses for receiving said tension bar, and a floor plate formed with recesses for receiving said vposts and being fixed to the inner surface of said side connecting member at opposite sides of said door opening,

and extending across said4 tension member and being fixed to the outer surface of said side connecting member at the door opening.

30. In a box car, an underframe, uprights or posts rising therefrom, a fioor above said underframe and a tension member extending from one of said posts to another of said posts and under a portion of said floor.

31. In aA car, a combination comprising underframe members,l upright members rising thereabove, a tension member connected with' said upright members, above said underframe, near its ends and a fioor overlapping said tension member intermediate the ends of said tension member.

32. In a car, a combination comprising upright members, a `continuous tension member connected with said members near their upper part, said tension member being bent downwardly intermediate its ends and afloor plate connected to said tension member.

33. In a car, av combination comprising upright members, acontinuous tension member connected with said members near their upper part, said tension member being bent doivnwardly intermediate its ends and a floor plate connected to and overlapping sa`id tension member.

34. In a box car, an underframe, posts, sheathing, a continuous tension member connected'directly to said'underframe, said posts and to said sheathing, and a ioor sheet secured by direct connection to an intermediate part of said tension member.

35. In a car having a door opening, the combination comprising transom osts, a tension member connected with sald transom posts near their upper ends, an underframe stifl'ened below said door opening by direct connection with an intermediate part of said tension member and sheathing secured directly to said tension member.

36. A car construction comprising an underframe, posts and diagonals, a continuous tension member connected with upper parts of said posts and with said underframe intermediate its ends, and sheathing plates secured directly to said underframe, posts, diagonals and said tension member.

37. In a car side wall, vertical posts, diagonals, a plate extending substantially the length of said wall at the lower part thereof, a tension member connected with said plate intermediate its ends and With some of said posts near its ends and a sheathing secured directly to all of said members.

38. In a car construction, the combination comprising a tension member, floor sheets secured to opposite sides of said tension member and a side sheathing secured to said tension member.

39. In a car construction, the combination comprising a 'longitudinally disposed member, floor sheets overlapping and secured to opposite sides of said member.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my handin the presence of two Witnesses.

vi'c'ron M. sUMMA.

Conies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

^ Washington, D. C. 

